Metris Launches the LK Libero, Raising the Performance Standard for a New Generation of Bridge CMMs

Leuven, May 8th 2006 - Metris launches a new generation CMM at the Control Show in Sinsheim (Germany). The Libero is the first release of a new CMM product since Metris acquired LK in January and is significant in highlighting the rapid integration of the two metrology companies. The machine, with it’s distinctive raised guide way, is a high performance CMM, aimed at the high accuracy- high throughput market dominated by the automotive and aerospace industries. Featuring a granite table, a ceramic beam and spindle, the Libero continues the tradition of providing metrology structures that provide stiffness & stability with drive systems that offer smooth & efficient motion control to users requiring very high accuracy, reliability & low cost of ownership.

The Libero has two distinctive design features that provide much greater stiffness to the metrology structure. A characteristic that is vital in quick and successful high accuracy scanning. In raising the X-axis guideway the drive has been positioned much closer to the centre of gravity and coupled with the inclusion of an S-Axis scale to dynamically compensate for X Axis errors this has created a significant increase in the stiffness of the structure. Initial testing of the Libero on shopfloor benchmarks resulted already in a doubling of the capability index on many of the measured features when compared to a metrology lab machine located in a temperature controlled and clean environment.

Primarly designed as an analogue scanning solution, the Libero is a significant development in the marketplace. For the first time it provides a CMM with the high scanning performance characteristics previously only reached in the metrology lab into the shopfloor environment and provides it without the need to provide expensive and restrictive enclosures.

The new CMM will be available in three machine sizes and three machine variants. All of the variants are fitted with temperature compensation and pneumatic AVM’s as standard. The Libero+ is designed to be a very high accuracy laboratory machine but the Libero & the Libero Therma are designed for shopfloor use with the Therma having a temperature range of 15 to 30ºC making it suitable for high performance in a very hostile thermal environment.

About Metris
Metris designs, develops and markets a unique range of 3D hardware and software inspection systems for the automotive and aerospace sectors. The company offers world-class metrology solutions for both design and manufacturing communities. The comprehensive product family covers the full range of measurement volumes required by customers, in both fixed and portable configurations and with optical and touch sensors.

Metris is the market leader for CMM based laser inspection, with the Metris LC and XC laser scanners offering full surface and feature measurement.

Metris Optical CMMs are portable, hand-held coordinate measuring machines, with a proven track record in engineering, pre-production, and quality control applications. The Optical CMMs can also be used in motion analysis and robot calibration applications.

The Metris Laser Radar is the top solution available to the manufacturing industry that provides a fully automated, non-contact measurement and inspection capability for large-volume applications of up to 60 meters.

The Metris iGPS is a modular, large volume tracking system enabling factory-wide localization of multiple objects with metrology accuracy, applicable in manufacturing and assembly.

Metris completes its product portfolio with a full range of complementary software solutions for inspection and reverse engineering applications.

The Metris Headquarters are based in Leuven (Belgium) with additional production and development centers in UK (Derby, London) US (California, Detroit, Virginia), China, Russia, India and Bulgaria. Metris provides a worldwide network of sales and support offices located in Europe, Asia, and the United States.